Honesty. It's a trait usually associated with wholesomeness and positivity.

 

Honest people are "good" people; they speak the truth because they know it's the "right" thing to do. Liars are bad.

 

...and yet - here I sit, guilty of this myself; a person that believes themselves to be on the whole quite a "good" person, that regularly tells bare-faced lies to the people I know and love.

 

via GIPHY

*GASP* The horror!!!

 

What a conflict of emotions and morals it can be.

 

You see, these aren't just any old lies, no. These are the kind of lies that plague the kind, the anxious, the introverted and the overly helpful among us. The lies we actually tell to feel like good people.

 

That's right my friends; it's the curse of being incapable of saying NO.

 

Rather than feeling as though we have disappointed or let someone down with the truth of our current feelings, schedules or physical capabilities, we instead say just about anything else that comes to mind to accept their request.

 

Then we actually punish ourselves with an experience that is either too exhausting, frightening, stressful, boring or any other emotion that you can conjure for us to handle at that time. Why do we do it?! Why do we let that nasty little parasite that is Anxiety whisper in our minds and override our better judgement for selfcare?

 

It's madness, I tell you, and it needs to stop.

 

Now, don't get me wrong - you should say yes sometimes. I don't advocate simply being a selfish prick and labelling it "self care" because you just can't be bothered with something or someone. Kindness, empathy and generosity are important parts of healthy human relationships and something we should all cultivate a little more of...BUT; if it truly comes at a cost to your mental or physical health, then YES - it is ok to be honest and say NO.

 

I'll say it once more, louder for the people in the back in case you missed that.

 

It is ok to be honest and say no!

 

Feels good, right? And mildly terrifying? Yeah - I feel ya, my anxious ones. It's a constant battle I'm having with myself too. But, you know - it's the hard truth; and something I feel quite passionate about at this point in my life. That naturally means that I'm gonna do what I do best for things I'm feeling passionate about...

 

...I'm gonna design the shit out of it! WOO!

 

via GIPHY

 

Yes, it's time for me to focus on a whole new apparel collection for you, my fabulous Nymphs - and the theme is going to be **Truth Bombs**

 

I'm gonna be working on some new tee designs exploring the thoughts that often run through our heads after we've said YES to something that should have definitely been a hard NO from us.

 

Is it going to be a little sarcastic and tongue-in-cheek? Uh, yeah. Obvs.

 

After all, humour is my love language (after food and sparkles - take note fellas) and there's no better way to deal with a problem than deflecting it with humour *double thumbs up* (see? It comes so naturally!) ...but is it also going to serve as a daily reminder of the kind of crazy we get ourselves into just to avoid using those two magic, little letters? I sure hope so.

 

With self-awareness comes the ability to make better choices about our actions. With those choices come change...and change can always be for the better! Sure, it might get a much-appreciated laugh or two when you wear it out; but it will also serve as a great reminder and talking point for self care, mental health and the power of saying no when it really matters.

 

That, and you'll also look hot AF in it, regardless of how you're feeling on the inside - so it's a bit of a double-win.

 

These designs are creeping out of my brain and on my sketchbook and screen right now, and I'd love your input on some truthbomb quotes and thoughts you might like to see on a tee of your own!!

 

Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram for updates on the collection as it develops; and feel free to slide into my DMs with any thoughts or suggestions you may have regarding this post or the designs themselves. I love hearing from you guys!!

 

This topic is truly so close to my heart (seriously. I can't even begin to tell you what a personal struggle it has been for the majority of my life) and something I really wanna discuss more as the collection expands. It'll be like we are all growing and learning together!

 

Here's design numero uno and my general sense of being most days for you to enjoy as we get started, with many more to come...these will hopefully be available on tees in the coming month or so, so stay tuned!!

 Danika xx